Surge link



E.y F. BooTHE April 4, 1939.

SURGE LINK Filed NOV. 23, 1936 Illlli.

A rra/e NE y Patented Apr. 4, 1939 f 2,152,864

UNITEDv STATES PATENT OFFICE SURGE LINK Eugene F. Boothe, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to James R. Kearney Corporation, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application November 23, 1936, Serial No. 112,368

9 Claims. (CI. ZOO-115) This invention relates generally to electrical pose of illustration, merely, two embodiments of surge devices and more specically to a device of the invention A designates the improved device this type which is adapted to function in a mangenerally. The device A comprises a pair of ner to clear a power circuit of voltage surges alined cables I and 2 which serve as link terr. caused by switching or induced by lightning, the minals, the inner ends of these cables being predominant object of the invention being to spaced apart to provide a gap and the cable I provide an improved .surge device which is in being provided at its outer end with a cap or the form of a link that may be installed in standhead 3 where this is desired. Arranged in the ard fuse link cartridges or standard switch gap between the inner ends of the cables I and m mountings now in general use. 2 is an insulator in the form of a strip of fiber or 10 Prior to this invention devices known as lightother suitable material 4, said strip being conv ning arresters have been produced that were nected at its opposite ends to the cables I and 2 intended to rid a line or electrical circuit of by means of strain wires 5 and 6. As shown surges caused by switching and lightning which clearly in Figs. l and 2 the strain wire-5 is if not diverted to ground might cause damage passed through an aperture 1 formed in an end )s to line equipment. These devices consisted of portion of the strip 4 and is twisted about Vthe air gaps arranged in series with various sub-'- inner end portion ofthe cable I. Inlike manner stances, such as oxidized pellets or crystal forthe strain wire 6 is passed through an aperture 8 mations which possess a valve action, these subformed in the opposite end DOItiOIl 0f the Strip 4 stances being characterized by the ability to allow and is twisted about the inner end portion ,of 20 the surge current to ow to ground and immethe cable 2. diately act as insulator means when the power The device A includes a tube 9 which is formed current attempts to flow through. of fiber or other suitable material and encloses Another type of device which has been known the strip 4, the strain wires and inner end porfor some time is termed a coordinating gap tions of the cables I and 2. The tube 9 may be 25 consisting of an air gap within a ber tube, this Secured in place in any suitable and vconvenient device being used in exactly the same manner as manner as, for instance, by means of a transthe so-called lightning arresters with the exversely extended pin I0 which passes through an ception that there is no valve action present in opening formed hrOllgh the Cable l and through its operation. In the case of the coordinating oDDOSteIY 10Cated Openings formed in the wall 30 gap type of device. the air gap within the fiber of th tube. tube provides a short path for the surge current Either the strip 4 or the tube 9 is made of horn to ilow to ground and when the power current ber or other suitable material which is charac- -attempts to flow, the heat generated by the power terized by the ability to give oif gas when subarc across the gap causes the wall of the liber jected to the heat of an electric arc which gas 35 tube to give off a gaswhich has a tendency to has a tendency to extinguish the arc. Also if extinguish the arc. l desired both the strip 4 and the tube 9 may be The device of the present invention functions made of such material. When the strip only is in accordance with the latter expulsion tube made of the gas-releasing. material the tube is 40 principle and the improvement resides in proformed of ordinary insulating material, and like- 40 ducing the device in the form of a link which wise when the tube is formed of gas-releasing may be installed in standard fuse link cartridges material the strip is formed of ordinaryinsulator standard switch mountings now in general ing material. use. When, in the use of the device of the present Fig..1 :ls-a sectional-elevation of the improved invention, surge currents of relatively low values 45 device,'the fiber tube thereof being in longitudiarc over between the strain wires 5 and 6, the

nal section. surge will be carried to ground. However, if the Fig. 2 is a sectional-elevation on line 2--2 of power current ows through this path, the power Fig. 1. arc will melt the strain wire 6 at the point desig- Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. l. nated by thereference character 6' thereby caus- 50 Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing ing the link to open mechanically. Also the heat the device having an auxiliary strain insulator generated within the Vtube by the power arc associated therewith; causes the ber strip 4 and/or the wall of the Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 4. tube 9 to give off a gas which has a tendency to In the drawing, wherein is shown for the purextinguish the arc. If Athe improved device dis- 55 closed herein is installed in a fuse holder designed to trip out when the fuse blows, the cartridge with which the device is associated will trip out when melting of the strain wire B causes the link to open just as in the case of a fuse link of a trip-out type of cutout.

In order to prevent leakage oi' current along the flber strip l in damp weather, or in case moisture should get into the link from condensation, it may be desirable to install an auxiliary strain .insulator il in series with the ilber gap as shown in Fig. 4. This strain insulator may beA in the form of a sleeve formed of glass, porcelain, or any suitable non-absorbative ceramic material, adjacent end portions of the cable 2 being extended into opposite ends of the sleeve and suitably secured in place therein to provide a gap within the sleeve.

I claim:

l. A surge link comprising ilexible conductors providing link terminals which are spaced apart at their inner ends to provide a gap therebetween, an element disposed in said gap, and strain wires for connecting said element to said flexible conductors, said strain wires being formed of electrical conducting material and being attached to opposite ends of said element and to the adjacent inner ends of the flexible conductors in electrical connection with said flexible conductors so as to dispose said element in an interposed relation with respect to said strain wires, said element being formed of material characterized by the ability to give oil.' gas when subjected to the heat of an electric arc which has a tendency to extinguish said electric arc.

2. A surge link comprising flexible conductors providing link terminals which are spaced apart at their inner ends to provide a gap therebetween, an element in strip form disposed in said gap, and strain wires for connecting said element to said flexible conductors, said strain wires being formed of electrical conducting material and being attached to opposite ends of said element and to the adjacent inner ends of the flexible conductors in electrical connection with said flexible conductors so as to dispose said element in an interposed relation with respect to said strain wires, said element being formed of material characterized by the ability to give oil gas when subjected to the heat of an electric arc which has a tendency to extinguish said electric arc.

3. A surge link comprising flexible conductors providing link terminals which are spaced apart at their inner ends to provide a gap therebetween, an element disposed in said gap, strain wires for connecting said element to said flexible con' ductors, said strain wires being formed of electrical conducting material and being attached to opposite ends of said element and to the adjacent inner ends of the exible conductors in electrical connection with said flexible conductors so as to dispose said element in an interposed relation with respect to said strain wires, said element being formed of material characterized by the ability to give oil gas when subjected to the heat of an electric arc which has a tendency to extinguishv said electric arc, and a tubular protective member which encloses said element, and said strain wires. v

. 4. A surge link comprising flexible conductors providing link terminals which are spaced apart at their inner ends to provide a gap therebetween, an element disposed in said gap, strain wires for connecting said element to said flexible conminacce ductors, said strain wires being formed of electrical conducting material and being attached to opposite ends of said element and to the adjacent inner ends of the flexible conductors in electrical connection with said flexible conductors so as to dispose said element in an interposed rela tion with respect to said strain wires. said element being formed of material characterized by the ability to give off gas when subjected to the heat of an electric arc which has a tendency to extinguish said electric arc, a tubular protective member which encloses said element, and said strain wires, and means for securing said protective member in place.

5. A surge link comprising flexible conductors providing link terminals which are spaced apart at their inner ends to provide a gap therebetween, an insulating member disposed in said gap, strain wires for connecting said insulating member to said flexible conductors, and a tubular member which encloses said gap, said strain wires being formed of electrical conducting material and being attached to opposite ends of said element and to the adjacent inner ends of the flexible conductors in electrical connection with said flexible conductors so as to dispose said element in interposed relation with respect to said strain wires, said tubular member being formed of material characterized by the ability to give of! gas when subjected to the heat of an electric arc which has a tendency to extinguish said electric arc.

6. A surge link comprising iiexibleconductors providing link terminals which are spaced apart at their inner ends to provide a gap therebetween, an insulating member disposed in said gap, strain wires for connecting said insulating member to said flexible conductors, and a tubular member which encloses said gap, said strain wires being formed of electrical conducting material and being attached to opposite ends of said element and to the adjacent inner ends of the ilexible conductors in electrical connection with said flexible conductors so as to dispose said element in interposed relation with respect to said strain wires, said insulating member and said tubular member being formed of material characterized by the ability to give off gas when subjected to the heat of an electric are which has a tendency to extinguish said electric arc.

7. A surge link comprising flexible conductors providing link terminals which are spaced apart at their inner ends to provide a gap therebetween, an insulating member disposed in said gap, strain wires for connecting said insulating member to said flexible conductors, a tubular member which encloses said gap, said strain wires being formed of electrical conducting material and being attached to opposite ends of said element and to the adjacent inner ends of the flexible conductors in electrical connection with said flexible conductors so as to dispose said elements in interposed relation With respect to said4 strain wires, said tubular member being formed of material characterized by the ability to give oif gas when subjected to the heat of an electric are which has a tendency to extinguish said electric arc, and means for securing said tubular member in place.

8. A surge link comprising flexible conductors providing link terminals which are spaced apart at their inner ends to provide a gap therebetween, an insulating member disposed in said gap, strain wires for connecting said insulating member to said flexible conductors, a tubular member which encloses said gap, said strain wires being formed of electrical conducting material and being at tached to opposite ends of said element and to the adjacent inner ends of the flexible conductors in electrical connection with said flexible conductors so as to dispose said element in interposed relation with respect to said strain wires, said tubular member being formed of material characterized by the ability to give olf gas when subjected to the heat of an electric arc which has a tendency to extinguish said electric arc, and a strain insulator associated with one of said flexible conductors and arranged in series with the gap between said ilexible conductors.

9. A surge link comprising flexible conductors providing link terminals which are spaced apart at their inner ends to provide a gap therebetween, an insulating member disposed in said gap, strain wires for connecting said insulating member to said flexible conductors, a tubular member which encloses said gap, said strain wires being formed of electrical conducting material and being attached to opposite ends of said element and to the adjacent inner ends of the flexible conductors in electrical connection with said flexible conductors so as to dispose said element in interposed relation with respect to said strain wires, said tubular member being formed of material characterized by the ability to give of! gas when subjected to the heat of an electric arc which has a tendency to extinguish said electric arc, and a strain insulator associated with one of said flexible conductors and providing a gap in said conductor which is arranged in series with the gap between said flexible conductors.

EUGENE F. BOOI'HE. 

